title: Antisense vimentin cDNA combined with chondroitinase ABC reduces glial scar and cystic cavity formation following spinal cord injury in rats.
abstract: The formation of glial scar and cystic cavities restricts axon regeneration after spinal cord injury. Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are regarded as the prominent inhibitory molecules in the glial scar, and their inhibitory effects may be abolished in part by chondroitinase ABC (ChABC), which can digest CSPGs. CSPGs are secreted mostly by reactive astrocytes, which form dense scar tissues. The intermediate filament protein vimentin underpins the cytoskeleton of reactive astrocytes. Previously we have shown that retroviruses carrying full-length antisense vimentin cDNA reduce reactive gliosis. Here we administered both antisense vimentin cDNA and ChABC to hemisected rat spinal cords. Using RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, we found that the combined treatment reduced the formation of glial scar and cystic cavities through degrading CSPGs molecules and inhibiting intermediate filament proteins. The modified intra- and extra-cellular architecture may alter the physical and biochemical characteristics of the scar, and the combined therapy might be used to inhibit glial scar formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Gaotanyan 30, Chongqing 400038, China.
authors.forename: Yongzhi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Gaotanyan 30, Chongqing 400038, China.
authors.forename: Tianzhi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Gaotanyan 30, Chongqing 400038, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Gaotanyan 30, Chongqing 400038, China.
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Gaotanyan 30, Chongqing 400038, China.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Gaotanyan 30, Chongqing 400038, China.
authors.forename: Shengli
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Gaotanyan 30, Chongqing 400038, China. Electronic address: fhnwk@yahoo.com.cn.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Gaotanyan 30, Chongqing 400038, China. Electronic address: jklin2002@yahoo.com.cn.
authors.forename: Jiangkai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019765:Chondroitin ABC Lyase / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003560:Cysts / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016373:DNA, Antisense / Q000235:genetics*; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000235:genetics; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014746:Vimentin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D016373:DNA, Antisense; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D014746:Vimentin; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D019765:Chondroitin ABC Lyase